Mildew proofing of fibrous material



Patented Feb. 22, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENTQVOFFICEQ THOMAS HAROLD FAIRBROTHER AND ARNOLD RENSHAW, OF MANCHESTER, ENG- LAND, ASSIGNORS .TO BRITISH DYESTUEFS CORPORATION LIMITED, OF MANCHES- TER, ENGLAND, A. CORPORATION OF GREAT BRITAIN ANL IRELAND.

MILDEW PROOFING OF FIBROUS MATERIAL.

No Drawing. Application filed December 17, 19%, Serial No. 155,545, and in Great Britain July 24 1925.

Cotton materials when manufactured and finished in the usual way are liable to damage by mildew, especially when transported or stored in damp, warm climates, and the 5 same is true with reference to other textile goods such as artificial silk and to mate'- rials such as paper, leather, leather-cloth, and the like. We have found that this fault can be overcome by suitably applying in the process of manufacture or finishing a solution of. an alkaline salt of a highly halogenated phenol as hereinafter more particularly defined.

Alkali salts of monoand di-halogenated phenols have previously been proposed for use as disinfectants and antiseptics. We

have found that alkali salts of triand higher halogenated derivatives of phenol,

cresols and naphthols have a destructive action upon the organisms of mildewwhich amounts to specificity when compared with the feeble action of the monoand di-halogen derivatives. Alkaline salts, such as the sodium salt of 2:4:6ztrichlorophenol, are particularly useful. Thus We have found that a solution of sodium phena-te in a dilution of 1 in a 1000 does not restrain mildew growth, whilst para-chlor-sodium-phenate restrains growth under the same conditions in a dilution of 1 to 5000, and the highlv halogenated tri-chlor-sodium-phenate shows a restraining action even when the dilution is as great as 1 in 40,000, and in adilution of 1 in 5,000, the spores of the fungus which causes mildew are killed. Tri-brom-sodiumphenate shows a similar rest-raining action,

as do also the halogenated cresols contain-' ing more than two atoms of halogen in the molecule. The free tri-halog enated phenols have been proposed as disinfectants and as medicinal preparations but the specific action of alkali salts of these tri-halogenated phenols on mildew organisms is new.

We apply these observations in the man ufacture of cotton and other materials, particularly such as are liable to be exposed to moisture and a hot climate, and thus obtain a product which is immune from the attacks of mildew to a very high degree. For this purpose the yarn or other material is finished by immersion in a bath containing in solution the sodium salt of the halogenated phenol containing more than two atoms of extent along with the dye.

halogen in the molecule, in a concentration between, say, 1 in 100 1 in 1000, or by spra 5'5 ing the material with this solution. If t e material is to be dyed, the halogenated he nol compound may be added to the'dye athto give a solutionof similar concentration when it'is taken up by the material to some This is particularly useful in the case of woolen cloths.

In the'manufacture of pa er, the halogenated phenol can be adde to the pulp efore filtration. In this way, papers are obtained which are particularly valuable for use (a; As Wall-paper.

(6 Paper used in connection with storage, and transportation of foodstuffs.

20) Paper used in legal documents.

d) Pa er tubes.

The ha ogenated phenol can also be'added to lthe size used for paper and other mater1a s. In the manufacture of artificial silk such as viscose silk or other cellulose roduct, the halogenated ghenol is preferably added to the solution om which the cellulose is precipitated, when it remains to a great extent in the fibre obtainedyand renders the fibre resistant to mildew. v

What we claim and .desire to secure by Letters Patent is p 1. The improvement in the mildew-proofs5 ing of organic'fibrous materials which consists in applying to the said materials a solution of an alkaline salt of a halogenated phenol containing more thantwo atoms of halogen to the molecule whereby they are protected from damage by; mildew.

2. The improvement in the mildew-proof ing of organic fibrous materials which consists in applying to the said materials during the manufacture thereof a solution of an alkaline salt of a halogenated phenol containin more than two atoms of halogen to the mo ecule whereby they are protected from damage by mildew.

ing of organic fibrous materials which consists in applying to the said materials a solution of an alkaline salt of trichlorophenol whereby they are protected from damage by mildew. v I

4. The improvement in the mildew-proof- 3. The improvement in the mildew-proofihg of organic fibrous materials which consists in applying to the said materials a solution of an alkaline salt of 2 4;: 6 triohlorophenol whereby they are protected from damagevby mildew.

- 5. The improvement in the mildew-proofing of organic fibrous materials which consists in applyin to the said materials a solution of the so ium salt of 2 :4 Z6-tllClll0l'0- phenol whereb". they are protected from' THOMAS HAROLD FAIRBROTHER. ARNOLD RENSHAW, M. D. 

